From Idol series wiki
Idols is a television show on the South African television network M-Net, based on the popular British show Pop Idol. The show is a contest to determine the best young singer in South Africa. It was presented by Candy Litchfield, Matthew Stewardson and Sami Sabitiin in Season 1 and by Colin Moss and Letoya Makhene in Season 2, Colin Moss has gone solo for season 3.
In the show, people first audition but eventually the performers are narrowed down to 12 finalists, with each contestant performing live. There are four judges (Randall Abrahams, Dave Thompson, Marcus Brewster and Penny Lebyane in season one; Brewster and Lebyane did not return for the second season and were replaced by Mara Louw-Thomson and Gareth Cliff) who provide critiques of each contestant's performance. Viewers have several hours following the broadcast of the show to vote by phone, SMS or online for their favorite contestant. On the following night's episode, the contestant(s) with the fewest votes is sent home.
In the first season, Heinz Winckler won, with Brandon October coming in second and Melanie Lowe in third. Anke Pietrangeli won the second season contest, with Poseletso Sejosingoe placing second and Jacques Terre'Blanche placing third.
[edit] Season 3
The semi finals of Season 3 includes contestants singing two songs during the round instead of one, as seen in previous formats of Idols.
As of 19 November, Mara Louw-Thomson, one of the Idols judges, has decided not to continue her contract between herself and Mnet as a judge due to harsh criticism received on the official message board regarding racism and favouritism.
Viewer outrage ensued following the elimination of Nhlanhla Mwelse after it was revealed that the 4 judges had a 49% leverage to the total weekly votes & that this happened since the start of the semi finals. Before the series started, it was portrayed that the viewers would account for 100% of the total vote this year compared to the judges' 40% in season 1 & 2.
The Grand Final took place at Gold Reef City, Johannesburg on 27 November 2005 between Karin Kortje and Gift Gwe. Each contestant sang a favourite song chosen by them, a favourite song chosen by the judges, and a brand new single. After a record number of votes cast, Karin Kortje was crowned as the 2005 Idol with 62.58% of the votes.
[edit] See also
Season 3 voting results
It has not been very easy to tell why Mara Louw-Thomson did favour the blacks almost all the time,throughout the Season 3 of South African idols.I think she well deserved the criticisms she received from the South African people.
[edit] External link
fi:Idols (Etelä-Afrikka)
